Is the PlayBook End of Life?

I am the proud owner of 5 PlayBooks (2 x 64 gb wifi, 3 x 32 gb 4G LTE). One the 4G LTE units is a recent purchase that is still in the box. I don't have a SIM card for it yet and I'm reluctant to use it until I do because I experienced major problems in the past when I loaded an OS update that wasn't supported by my carrier. Naturally I am concerned about BlackBerry turning off the update servers in the near future. I contacted BlackBerry support and was told that the PlayBook is definitely not "end of life" and that all such rumours are absolutely incorrect, yet I've seen the website that relays the end of life info. What to make of this?!?

I am the proud owner of 5 PlayBooks (2 x 64 gb wifi, 3 x 32 gb 4G LTE). One the 4G LTE units is a recent purchase that is still in the box. I don't have a SIM card for it yet and I'm reluctant to use it until I do because I experienced major problems in the past when I loaded an OS update that wasn't supported by my carrier. Naturally I am concerned about BlackBerry turning off the update servers in the near future. I contacted BlackBerry support and was told that the PlayBook is definitely not "end of life" and that all such rumours are absolutely incorrect, yet I've seen the website that relays the end of life info. What to make of this?!?

The PlayBook is indeed end of life. It'll be phased out (probably gradually). I don't expect to see any more OS updates unless they're security updates (if even that).

I thought I read on here somewhere that the recent update had omitted the need of connecting to server on security wipes etc....anyone tried it since the last update??....they did fix the issue and the servers did come back online...it was just an issue for a few days/week....

It definitely is end of life. That being said, it still meets the majority of my basic needs for a tablet (video, music, ebooks, email, kids games), and until it stops meeting my needs, or stops functioning, I'm not planning on replacing it in the near future. I bought it when the fire sales started about 1.5 years ago, and it's been working well since.

Honestly, my big concern at this point is if something occurs to require a wipe of the PB to recover, and BBRY turns off the update servers. That would be the biggest let-down.

I thought I read on here somewhere that the recent update had omitted the need of connecting to server on security wipes etc....anyone tried it since the last update??....they did fix the issue and the servers did come back online...it was just an issue for a few days/week....

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I just did wipe my PB 64 GB one as it is getting slow because of huge apps. Of course it is running latest OS released in March 2014 (I think 1907). After wiping the device, its went to old update and asked for up gradation of new OS i.e. 1907 of 388 MB. So surly if we wipe now it will go to old software only. BlackBerry needs to give one more update to rectify the same.

Right now it won't present any problems, but yeah - that would be an issue if they turned off the servers.

As a piece of hardware, it's still very useful. Why can't BlackBerry release documents and unlock the boot rom on these things, so ppl like me can load different OS onto it or enhance the one there already? I tried everything to get into the protected boot area of these and have given up. I can't even make some of the apps I want because the API don't expose a lot the areas needed. Seems like only BlackBerry can (like how bridge works for example. I could write a new one in C++ and cross deploy. No apps are allowed that level of integration PB side if I make them.)

Ok I appreciate the clarification. Maybe I'll wipe mine and re load this weekend just to get a fresh start! I agree it still has so much use for me.

Careful with the wipe. You will lose all your data , any sideloaded apps and any apps that are no longer supported in BB. World. Better to do the three finger reset or simply turn off and on and clean your browser cache.

I am the proud owner of 5 PlayBooks (2 x 64 gb wifi, 3 x 32 gb 4G LTE). One the 4G LTE units is a recent purchase that is still in the box. I don't have a SIM card for it yet and I'm reluctant to use it until I do because I experienced major problems in the past when I loaded an OS update that wasn't supported by my carrier. Naturally I am concerned about BlackBerry turning off the update servers in the near future. I contacted BlackBerry support and was told that the PlayBook is definitely not "end of life" and that all such rumours are absolutely incorrect, yet I've seen the website that relays the end of life info. What to make of this?!?

BlackBerry told you correct. The PlayBook is not EOL. It's part of the BlackBerry Phone / Tablet product range. We have just received an OS update to 2.1.0.1917 which improved performance and security. CrackBerry are not the press department of BlackBerry. True Facts!! Enjoy using you BlackBerry PlayBooks.

BlackBerry told you correct. The PlayBook is not EOL. It's part of the BlackBerry Phone / Tablet product range.

Wow, the PlayBook is 4 years old. It's perfectly reasonable to expect it to be EOL in the tech industry at this point. This is the last update to the OS, consumer support ends imminently and there's no BlackBerry 10 for it.

Wow, the PlayBook is 4 years old. It's perfectly reasonable to expect it to be EOL in the tech industry at this point. This is the last update to the OS, consumer support ends imminently and there's no BlackBerry 10 for it.

Show me the press release. CrackBerry are not the BlackBerry press department. FACT.

PlayBook UK BBM Channel C001CB4A1

It's end of life. SVP Executives have said it and the darn CEO said it. The PlayBook is End of Life as of April 2014. Period. Companies do not issue press releases when their products go EoL, we never do at Rogers when phones are EoL'ed

It's end of life. SVP Executives have said it and the darn CEO said it. The PlayBook is End of Life as of April 2014. Period. Companies do not issue press releases when their products go EoL, we never do at Rogers when phones are EoL'ed

Posted via CB10

I never said press release, the other fella did, I said show me..

The previous CEO said no BB10. Not one single CURRENT employee has said EOL PlayBook. Unless you can prove me wrong?

The previous CEO said no BB10. Not one single CURRENT employee has said EOL PlayBook. Unless you can prove me wrong?

PlayBook UK BBM Channel C001CB4A1

Yes, Alec Saunders did. You can go search for his tweet and a referral link to the CB website he himself provided.

It's EoL because the specifications of this device have been finalized back in 2010, with the official release date anniversary coming this weekend, marking 3 years since the PlayBook was first launched to the public.

Yes, Alec Saunders did. You can go search for his tweet and a referral link to the CB website he himself provided.

It's EoL because the specifications of this device have been finalized back in 2010, with the official release date anniversary coming this weekend, marking 3 years since the PlayBook was first launched to the public.

Posted via CB10

Think your wrong mate. Looks like you are referring to the July 2013 tweet 'no more significant updates' for the PlayBook when he was still at BlackBerry.